The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-07-07
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have 10 Say About
Their Ola Campaigns
In the charge on O'crton's nm At NASHVILLE

almost 4 complete anuihIlatiOn 81 Gc-. HOOD 5
army, While other battles OF probably less sig
nificance have been described cIhGAeui WITH
ten and re-WrittCu.
Gen. Mood confines his narrative principally
to the operations of the Fourth Corps. lie
docs however in connection with the charge ON
Ovorton Hin by Col Posts Brigade mention
and comment Oh the part taken by
THE coLoEED BRIGADE
of Col. Thompson, OF Gen. Steedman's Divis-
ion. lie mentions the fact of the crowdinS
together oi the lett VI Col. Post aud The reht
OF Col ghompson's Brgades, and thinks such
fact operated against the success OF the charge.
lie SAYS that the Urowdiug together on the part
oil the colored troops was owing 10 a lack OIL
wlnt il known in military parlance ms conduct on
the hattlrieid-0 inor0ie which can only he ac-
quired by long trimming and discipline, supple
niented by actual experience, and plenty oil H. on
the battlefield Ol courage the coorOd troops DIS
plaVcd abundance ana Oi high order, as was
evnced 10y the fact tiat after the repulse our
soldiers white and colOred killed, lay indlscrlml-
natey near the enemy works, al the outer edge
OF the abaus.
The gallant commander of the Fourth Corps
compimonted the courage of the colored troops
yet who shall Yinaicate their " conduct y Let
facts do justice 10 the living and commemorate
the bravery aud conduct of the fallen heroes
From the facts which 4 shall narrate, as a par
ticpaut Ia aud observer of that transaction,
think the following propositions may be ad-
ducod, VIZ:
J. Ii would be difficult 10 determine whether
Col. Thnmpson's command crowded Col. Post s.
or uice Versa
,. The formation of the two brigades was
such that they would naturally converge as
they approached the rebel works ON the crest
of the hail.
g. Some deviation from straight line, even
by the best drilled aud most experienced troops,
might be expected, not intrcquent, when
advancing up through timber and around OBJ
gtructions under a terrific fire.
4. When Col. Thompson's Brigade moved by
the left flank, when close TO the line OF works,
Col Posts Brigade had probably fallen back.
Most of the officers OF the cglored troops were
veterans, and quite number of the Tooth U.
s. c. T. had been non commissioned officers IN
the Regular Army, and all were supposed TO he
well qualified for the positions which they sew
verillly held. The rank aud file had been well
drilled, aud most, if not all, had
BEEN UNDER FIRE BEFORE,
and were as chock full of patriotism and love for
the old nag as their more favored comrades.
The l0OIh IL. s. g. T-Col. IL. ID. Musseys
rcgiment-then commanded by Maj. Collin
Ford-iormod the right OF Col. thompson
Brigade. Arriving upon the battlefield II APP
preached Overton Hill from nearly eastward,
and halted upon hill near brick house, alter
ward used as a hospital, and between which
aud Oyerton Hill ran the Franklin Railroad.
While there we were shelled from the
works on OvertOn Hill. We were moved
obiquely TO the right and across the railroad
probably half mile or more, halting with our
right near and little in front OF a battery.
Col. Posts command lay to the right and lit
tie advanced from the battery, both brigades
seemingly fronting the works on Oyerton's
Hill. Apparently Col Thompsons Brigade
was formed in line the left of which was adj
vanced from an extended straight line upon
which Col. Posts was formed; thus both
seemed to front the crest of the hill. 1t was
generally understood that the works in front
Oh OvertOn's Hill was the objective point.
We lay upon the ground. There was heavy
diminishing upon the hillside. Our batteries
opened. hurting the thunder-bots Of destruc-
tiOn upon the enemys line Of works with such
vigor AS well might awaken old Joye from his
long slumber aud cause Mars TO dance and
shake his fingers IN glee.
THE DEAFENING BOOM
Of the many black -mouthed cannon, the hiss
ing whizzing. whirrng and bursting Of shell
constituted a scene of terrible, marvellous grand
eur. TO some not altogether unenjoyable, but
which was understood TO be only the prelude
10 an undertaking more fearful and terrible
All felt that an advance would be an advance
into the laws Of DEATH" Some of the men
having money or yaluabes offered the same in
keeping 20 the officers as though they thought
hazardous to the officers than the enlisted
men. This and little talk among themselves
showed a settled resolution TO unhinchingly
face death in the cause OF freedom and nation.
ality.
The rebel batteries ceased firing. and for q
while ours still, from gun after gun aud bat
terry after battery, threw a continuous storm
of shot and shell upon the summit of the hill
The time for movement came. Col. Posts
Brigade first moved forward in gallant style
Soon after Col. ThOmpson's Brigade advanced
In fine line aud measured step, seemingly a
cool as on parade or review. Flashes from tho
brow Of the hill indicated the opening Of the
storm. The boom, the crash and explosion, anc
fragments OF shell swept through the lines
The roar OF cannon and bursting Of shell came
In increasing rapidity. Steadily
ONWARD THEY MOVED.
The ascent of the hill commenced The hill
Top became q liyid flame-an active volcani,
crater, Ms it were, rolling down torrents Of
seething, burning lava. Heavy lines Of mus
kerry and batteries Of artillery WED with eacL
other IN hurting forth lead, grape aud canister
The air seemed AS full of the death laden mis-
Eiles as Of hail in a driving hailstorm.
The coored brigade, on the double-quick
swept up the slOpe-up through the leader
Kleet-onward through the iron hail. The lief
Of Col. Posts Brigade was overtallen, wifi
which the right of the Tooth somewhat inter
panes not extending, however, down to IN,
fourth DISTINCTIONS, fallen trees and tree top
interviewed along the front or q portion a
least, OF the l00Jh. By the right Of cOmpaniei
10 the fr0nt--in other words, by companies B.,
the right ilGnk by file loft-they moved forward
through the distractions, aud then By COMPANY
into limo, The general direction during thf
movement and afterward seemed TO be n ltd
more 10 the left and some Of the right comma
mics probably concerned somewhat 10 the move
mont OF the white troops, as there appeared L
have been breaking Of Of two or three com
panies from our right, owing probably, nor
10 the distinctions. That TO some extent \,
separated from the left of Col Post Is command
j feel assured. Col. Thompsou's Brigade stil
pressed forward. The colors OF the Tooth wen
down
THE coLCR-BEARER WAS KILLED,
and most of the color guard killed OF wounded
Corpl Deal Of my company, seized the flag
raised them aOlt ana pressed forward. Tn
angle IN the line Of works must have bee
passed 10 our right, Cor was conscious tbs
we were receiving a fire from our right.
strong ..bats quite near the line Of works wa
reached striking ihc same somewhat obliQuel,
the icit of the brigade not touching il. Jui
al the point OF reaching tho abaiis the writer
mobility WAS considerably intoriered with d
amino bali from Gao mUskot Of some carclc
Johnny !. b. Brave George Best, a noble SO
dier, pierced through lhc breast, fell down 4
me. IN the mOm MARY halt 10 examine dan
HHaH. N.rFr. a. "A